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Spicy Fish Nuggets

Spicy Fish Nuggets
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These Spicy Fish Nuggets are a crispy, flavorful seafood snack featuring tender white fish coated in a crunchy, spicy crust. Perfect for appetizers, snacks, or main dishes, they offer bold heat balanced with savory spices and can be customized for mild or intense spice levels. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re ideal for quick meals or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish and Coating

  • 1 lb fresh white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock), cut into 1 to 1.5-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free substitute)
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Fish: Cut your fresh white fish fillets into bite-sized cubes, about 1 to 1.5 inches each, ensuring consistent sizing for even cooking.
  2. Set Up the Breading Stations: In three separate bowls, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in the first bowl; beat the eggs in the second bowl; place the panko breadcrumbs in the third bowl.
  3. Coat the Nuggets: Dip each fish piece first into the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally thoroughly coat with panko breadcrumbs.
  4. Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or frying pan and heat it to 350°F (175°C) to ensure perfectly crispy nuggets.
  5. Fry the Nuggets: Fry the breaded fish in small batches for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  6. Serve Hot: Enjoy your spicy fish nuggets immediately for maximum crunch and flavor, or keep warm in a low-heat oven until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Use cold fish to help the coating adhere better during breading.
  • Do not overcrowd the frying pan to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
  • Pat dry fish pieces before coating to remove excess moisture.
  • For an extra crunchy crust, double coat by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
  • Check oil readiness by dropping a breadcrumb into the oil before frying the fish.

Nutrition

Keywords: spicy fish nuggets, crispy fish nuggets, seafood snack, fried fish bites, spicy appetizers, quick seafood recipe

Find it online: https://tastebudtrek.com/spicy-fish-nuggets/